Making small talk more interesting

[Whateverist]

People on planes have the worst, absolutely most awful attempts at small talk.  And why even attempt it?  What the everlasting fuck makes you assume  that, simply because we happen to be seated next to each other, there exists some sort of moral imperative that you engage me in some inane conversation for which I did not ask and clearly - because I'm reading a BOOK fer chrissakes - do not want?

And for the love of Mike, why, in the name of all that's pertinent, would you ask, 'Where are you headed?'  It's a non-stop flight, you dimwitted bumhole - I'M GOING TO THE SAME PLACE YOU ARE!!!

jeezes pleezus.

Boru

Living as most of us do I think being able to limit intimacy is at least as important as having it worked into your life.  Never sit next to my wife on a plane.  On a long flight we always get seats across the isle from each other.  For longer flights we can play cards or share snacks that way.  But when she starts eliciting her neighbor's life story I can put on my music, open my book and make them disappear.

Almost forgot, there was a ten day off trail hike we went on one time where we saw no one for days.  Toward the end when people started passing us more frequently I started finding them interesting to look at and even to talk to.  At the start of the hike, that wouldn't have been true.

[Catholic_Lady]

Lol, why don't you guys sit together in planes??

[Little lunch]

I like small talk that's purpose is a genuine lead-in to large talk.
I hate small talk that's purpose is to soften me up to ask for something like directions or a cigarette.
I also hate small writing that's only purpose is to remind me that I need to see an optometrist soon.

[Foxaèr]

I can't do small talk, especially at work. It's like, "I'm here to make your sandwich, not to engage in useless chit-chat."

[c172]

I'd like to get a sandwich from you. I find that sirs and ma'am and other sorts of formality have been replaced by people broing with you and then screwing up your purchase, whatever it might be.

"Sorry, 'bro'. Take this pizza back. I didn't ask for mushrooms."

[the desert]

This has been a challenge to me for a long time. It's difficult for me to fake being interested in the way some people like to have introductory small talk. One person started talking to me by just saying the name of the city I live in and "huh?". Do you prefer the stock small talk questions about family and work?

I like to try and steer the conversation into something thought-provoking or something that sparks a memory about a story, tradition, food etc.
Try asking the right questions, because people love to talk about themselves.
This advice doesn't work too well with narcissists.

[Angrboda]

From what I understand, the key to small talk is to ask questions, and then feign interest in the answer. Unfortunately I just can't be arsed.

[Whateverist]

Lol, why don't you guys sit together in planes??

Isle seats generally give you more room as long as you watch out that the beverage cart doesn't take your shoulder off.  Plus Lia needs to get up and walk around for health reasons and I sure don't want to sit in a center seat.

[Seraphina]

People on planes have the worst, absolutely most awful attempts at small talk.  And why even attempt it?  What the everlasting fuck makes you assume  that, simply because we happen to be seated next to each other, there exists some sort of moral imperative that you engage me in some inane conversation for which I did not ask and clearly - because I'm reading a BOOK fer chrissakes - do not want?

And for the love of Mike, why, in the name of all that's pertinent, would you ask, 'Where are you headed?'  It's a non-stop flight, you dimwitted bumhole - I'M GOING TO THE SAME PLACE YOU ARE!!!

jeezes pleezus.

Boru

Almost forgot, there was a ten day off trail hike we went on one time where we saw no one for days.  Toward the end when people started passing us more frequently I started finding them interesting to look at and even to talk to.  At the start of the hike, that wouldn't have been true.

Ha - that reminds me of being off work for 4 months after my daughter was born. I was pretty isolated at home with the baby and her father wasn't around much. I'm not one to go on and on in phone conversations but the phone was a lifeline back then. Ever have a friend that you just can't get off the phone even though you signal that you're done with the conversation? Yeah, that was me during that time lol.

-Teresa

[brewer]

I don't run into that many midgets, um........ little people so...............

---

Ha - that reminds me of being off work for 4 months after my daughter was born. I was pretty isolated at home with the baby and her father wasn't around much. I'm not one to go on and on in phone conversations but the phone was a lifeline back then. Ever have a friend that you just can't get off the phone even though you signal that you're done with the conversation? Yeah, that was me during that time lol.

-Teresa

Apparently you are unfamiliar with "phone guess what?". Most people don't like it but it does not take long for them to get the point. 

them:blah, blah, blah.
you: Hey, guess what.
them: What?
you: click